Organization

This is the best practical guide in existence for using Complexity to transform an organization. The authors give valuable tools and techniques for concrete processes which promote Complexity transformation, along with examples of real business situations where the tools have worked. Especially valuable for those who have a background in organization development. Highly recommended.

This is an interesting book about an approach to managing and changing organizations, which is quite different from traditional change approaches: complexity theory. You might think: "Ah, here we go again.... Is this just the next new management hype, destined to be forgotten soon?" I don't think so. I think complexity theory is to be taken a bit more serious than that. What is it? It is a rapidly developing theoretical framework that describes and explains fundamental processes of complex adaptive systems, like organizations. What is a complex adaptive system? The authors of this book, Edwin Olson and Glenda Eoyang, explain that in a complex adaptive system, a multitude of different players (called agents) held together by some cohesive force (called a container) and constantly interacting with each other in all kinds of ways (these interactions are called transforming exchanges).

The self-organizing nature of human interactions in a complex organization leads to surprising effects. Small actions, events and interactions can lead to dramatic outcomes affecting the whole system. Human interactions in complex systems lead to so-called emergent properties, which are features of the system that the separate parts do not have. (For example, brain cells don't have consciousness, but the human brain does). All of this explains why it is often impossible to understand let alone predict or control events and developments. This is a rather big departure from the traditional view, which tends to see organizations as understandable, predictable and ... controllable!

Then how exactly is the complexity theory approach to change management different from the traditional approach? Ed Olson and Glenda Eoyang summarize the main features of the CAS approach to change as follows: 1) Achieve change through connections between agents (instead of trying to control the change top-down), 2) Adapt to uncertainty (instead of trying to use predictable stages of development), 3) Allow goals, plans, and structures to emerge (instead of depending on clear and detailed plans or goals), 4) Amplify and value difference (instead of always directly focusing on consensus), 5) Create self-similarity (instead of difference between levels), 6) Regard success as a matter of fit with the environment (instead of focusing on one dimensional success measures).

It's hard to accurately summarize in a few words what's in this book. So, if you're organizational development consultant, perhaps you'd better read it yourself. What you will find is that the book is a nice mix of theory, case descriptions and practical tools which (some of which are very nice and handy). I think this is the first book that makes complexity theory so practical.

Clear, concise, and deeply thoughtful analysis of the basic premise underlying the religion clauses of the Bill of Rights and how they have been and continue to be misconstrued by both sides in issues involving relations between Church and State.

Tracks development of Jefferson's "wall of separation" comment from its original significance to the status of useful shibboleth. Provides insightful interpretation of events that gradually changed what had been "the Protestant nation" into a truly religiously plural society and turned James Madison's concept into reality.

Presents a clear and historically accurate picture of the relationship between government and religion envisaged by the Framers of the Constitution, as well as examples of how it can be adhered to in our time.

For some time we have not had a truly radical approach to the reading of the First Amendment as it relates to Church-State Relations. Now Thomas Curry, the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Santa Barbara, CA, has provided one that I believe will stimulate productive discussions from all sides.

Whereas people have largely divided themselves into "separationists" or "accommodationists," a general literalism of approach has blocked our seeing the historical roots of the First Amendment. Those who framed and passed the Amendment did not think like modern Americans, either those who wish for governmental support or those who would put a wall of separation between religion and government.

Read carefully, and seen in the context of writers like Jame Madison and the experience of the colonies, the Amendment actually declares that the government has no power in questions of religion. It declares itself incapable of judging religious questions. The founders did not want to support any religion as had been the case with governments of many stripes in the past. Neither did they wish to have a say on what religion was the best or what religion could do. Goernment simply had no competence in religious matters.

All religions, not just Roman Catholicism, will be affected by an understanding and acceptance of Curry's views. Freedom for Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, Muslims--for all religions--is what the First Amendment guarantees for Amricans.

Catherine Odell has done a wonderful job telling the story of the life of Father Solanus Casey who was declared "venerable" in 1995 by Pope John Paul II. The story of his life as a Capuchin priest who served as a porter is so inspirational, reminding us all that no matter what our calling in life, there are many ways in which we can all serve God. Many people sought healing and counseling from him and this humble man was truly an instrument of God on this earth. Father Solanus tells us that we should not pray for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about a modern day person who may very well become a canonized saint.

The story starts out rather slow and monotoneous, but before long you will find yourself completely emmerced in the psyche of this modern day saint. A touching story of one man's decision to say yes and to compleely surrender his life and his will to God's plan for his life. This humble man possessed those attributes that we all desire and seek, but somehow find elude us. This is a story of struggle, hope and the fullfillment of God's will in the very simple things of our lives. We are all drawn to this mindset and you will see the hunger and desire that we all have a hunger for by the unlikely attention that this man of God draws to himself without the desire to do so. If this beautiful story of real "life" brings a tear to your eye, you will have crossed that wonderful divide that seperates the spiritual from the secular, and you will in a very real sense find the hidden beauty of inner peace in the simple. I highly recommend this book for I believe it has set the roadmap for the true longing of the human spirit. The final words of Barney Casey are words that reverberate through the Centuries and words that should be readily on the tips of each of our tongues as we draw our last breath.

This book not only gives the mechanics of accounting for non-profits, but more importantly, provides tools for financial and resource decision-making. A must for non-profit managers!

This book covers not only the mechanics of accounting for non-profits, but more importantly, the tools to guide financial and resource decision-making. Very good book!

Linda Zukowski has done a real service for people who are seeking charitable funds from corporations. Her book, based on a survey of corporate grantmakers in California and the Pacific Northwest, is straightforward and absolutely packed with facts and excellent advice. She quotes actual responses grantmakers made to her questions about everything from trends in giving to the details of how to best approach them. She also provides graphs and charts, for us visually-oriented people, and an appendix that gives all the results of her survey. Her realistic and logical approach is great. I highly recommend this book, especially for anyone working with corporate donors based in the Western U.S - and anyone who needs to frame and/or justify their work with factual information about how corporate giving really works!

Ms Zukowski provides key insights for the non-profit group or organization that is seeking to position itself with major donnors. Her practical and effective recommendations will save significant time and effort.

For Corporations already active in non-profit funding, or those corporations interested in creating foundations, etc., will find this book helpful in working with groups seeking assistance.

I'm using this book as a crutch in my volunteer activities with a local non-profit. It's excellently written and helps as a primer for both the strategic and tactical parts of our efforts. I highly recommended as a starting point and a reference for any individual or group that is looking for a good framework to help approach the highly-complex and difficult world of getting the fuel to make a non-profit successful.

The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series adds another excellent resource with the publication of Mal Warwick's book, The Five Strategies for Fundraising Success: A mission-based guide to achieving your goals.

The central thesis of this nearly 300-page volume is that the way you raise funds for your organization can help you achieve your mission. Warwick finds that too often organizations tie their fund raising to short-term, fiscal year goals that require fund raisers to "get the money in the door now" rather than taking the time to cultivate donors for larger, future gifts.

In The Five Strategies, Warwick introduces the reader to the GIVES System, a method for analyzing, planning and evaluating an organization's fundraising strategy. The strategies are: Growth, Involvement, Visibility, Efficiency and Stability, hence GIVES.

In discussing Growth as a fundraising strategy, Warwick is not focusing on raising more money per se, but rather on broadening the donor base, having more donors next year than this year, and still more the year after that. A Growth strategy, according to this book, is dynamic and is characterized by audacious goals, bold leadership and low entry-level gifts.

Involvement as a strategy takes organizations beyond seeking gifts from donors to building stronger relationships with them. When supporters are active and committed, organizations can raise far more money. Organizations for whom public opinion is crucial are encouraged to adopt a Visibility strategy. Characteristics of the strategy are broad public interest, many stakeholders and brand identification.

Raising money at the lowest possible cost per dollar raised is the key to an Efficiency strategy. Planned giving, major gift programs, foundation and corporate grant solicitation and monthly giving are among the tactics that can be employed in an efficiency strategy. Warwick warns, however, that efficiency isn't always the best approach. A careful analysis of the organization's strategic choices is required.

Endurance is the core attribute of the Stability strategy. Among the tactics that can be used in a stability strategy are to build an endowment fund; employ electronic funds transfer (EFT) for fulfillment of donor pledges and engage in diversified fundraising activities.

Selecting a strategy must take into account the life cycle of the development program, the age of the organization, or both. For each of the five strategies, Warwick provides several real-life examples, not all of them success stories. This is very helpful for understanding how it might work and in identifying potential pitfalls. Warwick points out that a single strategy is not likely to remain appropriate for all time for any given organization.

The book provides details on how to pick the right strategy for your organization, common obstacles to implementing the strategies, what fundraising tactics will work with each strategy and how to evaluate your strategies.

My only disagreement with Warwick is in his definitions of vision and mission. He defines vision as why your organization exists and mission as what it does. I see the mission as clarification of purpose and an indicator of why the organization is doing what it does, while vision is what the organization aspires to look like after it succeeds in implementing its strategies and achieving its potential. That difference of opinion aside, I think the book is a wonderful resource for everyone involved in the fundraising effort, from CEO's to development officers to board members to donors themselves.

Warwick's previous books have been related to direct response fundraising and most are "How-To" books. If you are looking for a book that provides a formula or set of instructions, The Five Strategies is not it. What you will find in this book, however, is a way to think strategically about your fundraising efforts. Mal Warwick's hope with The Five Strategies is that he can help those who work for and on behalf of not-for-profit organizations understand the consequences of the resource allocation choices they face and do a better job raising money for a sector that never has enough.

This is a spiritually uplifting book. I know they are true because I live in a L'Arche community in Clinton, Iowa. Some of these stories are about us. They are straight from our lives. And they are wonderful. These little vignettes are glimpses into the minds and hearts of our "core members," the people we live and work with who have mental disabilities. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to know more about what some people with mental retardation think and believe. I think you will find the stories precious.

It is simply written but filled with truths and lesson that are so beautifully true. The short examples are an ever refreshing insight into life from one who sees it in a truly simplistic manner. It can be used to meditate on truths.

This book has the keys to unlock potential that most people can't even imagine. IF you know your self to be a spiritual being this may very well be the book that awakens you to your higher potential.

Paul Twitchell's book reveals practical tools that have helped me have amazing direct experiences with Spirit. How refreshing it is to read someone who gives techniques and information without some mystical mumbo-jumbo. The Flute of God is the real thing for people who want to begin directly connecting with Spirit and to discover our higher nature as Soul. The sections on the creative imagination are simply astonishing.

This work, the second of a set of three, continues General Newman's lessons in leadership, specifically designed for military leaders but with universal application.
There is some repetition due to their origin as periodical essays in ARMY Magazine, but this does not detract from their value to anyone in a leadership situation. In fact, it might well be said that with diligent application of General Newman's principles, one could hardly fail.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings).

This is a book I've always recommended to young men and women entering the military as officers. It gives the best explanation, through anecdote, of how to be a good leader, even when you lack experience. As I reflect on my memories as both officer and enlisted, I now see how these topics relate to civilian life just as well. Dealing with people never changes. You must understand them, and they must understand you for real communication to take place. Aubrey Newman delivers a beautifully simple explanation of senior-subordinate relationships, and how both can respect the other

A wealth of new ideas and ways to consider doing business! In this economy, all business owners need to access their goals on an accelerated basis..this is a Must"!

A very eye-opening view of the ever-changing business world. Challenges your current assumptions and forces you to "think out of the box" in regards to your company goals and personal ambitions. A must read for anyone considering opening their own business or looking to keep an existing endeavor afloat!